Journal of Translational Medicine (Aug 2011)

Combination of cyclosporine and erythropoietin improves brain infarct size and neurological function in rats after ischemic stroke

  • Shao Pei-Lin,
  • Chua Sarah,
  • Tsai Tzu-Hsien,
  • Chen Yung-Lung,
  • Yen Chia-Hung,
  • Kao Ying-Hsien,
  • Lin Yu-Chun,
  • Chang Li-Teh,
  • Sun Cheuk-Kwan,
  • Yuen Chun-Man,
  • Leu Steve,
  • Yip Hon-Kan

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5876-9-141
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 1
p. 141

Abstract

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Abstract Background This study tested the superiority of combined cyclosporine A (CsA)-erythropoietin (EPO) therapy compared with either one in limiting brain infarction area (BIA) and preserving neurological function in rat after ischemic stroke (IS). Methods Fifty adult-male SD rats were equally divided into sham control (group 1), IS plus intra-peritoneal physiological saline (at 0.5/24/48 h after IS) (group 2), IS plus CsA (20.0 mg/kg at 0.5/24h, intra-peritoneal) (group 3), IS plus EPO (5,000IU/kg at 0.5/24/48h, subcutaneous) (group 4), combined CsA and EPO (same route and dosage as groups 3 and 4) treatment (group 5) after occlusion of distal left internal carotid artery. Results BIA on day 21 after acute IS was higher in group 2 than in other groups and lowest in group 5 (all p Conclusion combined treatment with CsA and EPO was superior to either one alone in protecting rat brain from ischemic damage after IS.